President Donald Trump secretly switched from Air Force One to a Boeing C-32 military jet in Turkey due to an alleged threat on his life from Iran during his return journey from a NATO summit.
An elaborate deception was employed, where Trump publicly boarded Air Force One but was covertly moved to the C-32 via a catering truck, keeping reporters and some White House staff unaware of the switch.
The clandestine aircraft change highlights heightened security concerns amidst U.S. strikes on Iran and follows earlier speculation that Trump avoided the newer, Qatari-gifted Air Force One due to potential deficiencies in its defensive capabilities compared to the older VC-25A.
President Donald Trump secretly exited Air Force One and boarded a different military aircraft before beginning his journey back from a NATO summit in Turkey in July, according to aWashington Postreport.
Citing sources familiar with the matter, the newspaper said the switch-up was prompted by a threat on the president’s life from Iran.
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Zach Vasile is a writer and editor covering news in all aspects of aviation. He has reported for and contributed to the Manchester Journal Inquirer, the Hartford Business Journal, the Charlotte Observer, and the Washington Examiner, with his area of focus being the intersection of business and government policy.
